Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Fire extinguishing device and extinguishing head
The subject of invention is fire extinguishing device and extinguishing head
to be
applied in stationary systems and fire extinguishing cars with application of
various
extinguishing media and particularly water mist.
The majority of fires, with exclusion for vapours-burning liquids-fires,
generate
fire-expanding pyrolisis gases and glowing combustible solid material.
Extinguishing of
such fire proceeds in two stages. Gas phase (flames) is extinguished in the
first stage.
Burning solid materials are cooled down and their extinguishing is completed
in the second
stage. While application of water mist of relatively low cooling capability is
extremely
efficient in the first stage, high extinguishing capability and thus high
water amount as
cooling down agent is required to cool down and extinguish glowing solid
combustible
material of radically higher heat capacity.
Fire extinguishing devices and systems with water mist application, equipped
with
at least one water tank, water pump to supply fire-hose nozzle and compressor
are well-
known. Water and compressed air is fed through dual-line fire-hose to the
extinguishing
head with the possibility of water and airflow adjustment where production of
water mist
or compact water stream is selected contingently upon a need.
Fire extinguishing device with water tank connected to the compressed air tank
is
presented in patent specification PL 188681. Water under pressure, with
possible foaming
agent additive, is delivered through one branch-ended line with two delivery
channels to
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nozzle head whose discharging nozzle is adapted to water and water mist
extinguishing
and with foam nozzle. At the branch point is placed a reversing valve for
selectively
closing the first or the second delivery channel completely or partly in order
to deliver
extinguishing medium to selected nozzle according to the needs.
Hitherto used extinguishing equipment with application of water mist reveals
essential problems related to difficulties in obtaining appropriate kinetic
energy of drops
stream. It is the important issue since the lower is drops weight the higher
is mist quality.
In order to obtain sufficiently low drops diameter the stream has to flow out
through very
small openings or to be broken in dispersing equipment, which requires very
high
pressures to be produced by pumps in suction circuit. Minute drops weight
makes however
impossible to produce water mist of sufficient kinetic energy in respect of
extinguishing
properties. This problem was solved in Polish patent specification number
P.368269
regarding double-flow water-mist producing head by application of two
convergent-
divergent coaxial nozzles and annular, situated concentrically between the
nozzles, water-
gap convergent towards to the nozzles axis. This solution is based on
generation of drops
kinetic energy in the process of gas-dynamic mist production by air stream
accelerated to
the speed 2-3M. In result much higher reach of water mist stream was obtained,
however
the mist stream generated was of expressly lower mist density in the middle
part what was
manifested by disadvantageous local rise of flame temperature in the case of
solid bodies
extinguishing. Additionally, the section of mist stream at the distance up to
4 m from the
head front was characterised with very high drops concentration, which is
especially
disadvantageous in the case of liquids extinguishing as well as in
applications where the
head is used as an element of stationary extinguishing equipment.
A disadvantage of hitherto existing solutions is limited possibility of
different
extinguishing-media application with the help of the same nozzles in various
fire phases in
the case when one extinguishing device is used.
The solution objective is development of an extinguishing device equipped with
exchangeable extinguishing heads that are suitable to extinguish fires of
various classes
with application, depending on the need and fire phase, differentiated
extinguishing media:
water, water mist, deionised water, water solutions of freely soluble metal or
ammonium
salts, water and halon substitutionals mixture as well as compressed foams.
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Fire extinguishing device equipped with double-flow extinguishing head
including
side and central header, water pump connected to extinguishing liquid source,
particularly
to a water tank, auxiliary tank including proportioning system, particularly
for foaming
agent, connected to water pump circuit, compressor, and a dual-line fire-hose
whose water-
line is connected to the side-header of the extinguishing head as well to a
water pump from
the delivery side, and gas-line is connected with central header and
compressor, according
to the invention is characterised in that the water pump is connected to the
hose water-line
through two-way shut-off valve, whose second pass is connected, by connecting
conduit,
to the fire-hose gas-line through the first non-return valve and a foam mixer.
The foam
mixer and the gas-line are connected to the compressor circuit through shut-
off gas valves.
The extinguishing head outlet is furnished with at least one inner gas-nozzle
of convergent-
divergent profile and inner water-gap of annular cross-section formed by a
sleeve, which is
situated coaxially around the inner gas-nozzle. Water-gap outlet can be
furnished with
water-nozzle situated at 0 to 45 angle, preferable divergently, towards to
the inner gas-
nozzle axis.
It is advantageous if the sleeve is an inner part of second gas-nozzle of
convergent-
divergent profile and annular cross-section, situated coaxially towards to the
inner gas-
nozzle.
It is also advantageous if the second gas-nozzle is situated coaxially inside
a second
sleeve, which creates outside water-gap of annular cross-section and the
second sleeve
makes an inner part of the third gas-nozzle of convergent-divergent profile
situated
coaxially towards to the inner gas-nozzle. In the case of this solution it is
advantageous if
the third gas-nozzle as well as outside water-gap outlets are situated at the
end of a diffuser
formed by their outside walls and outside water-gap, formed by the second
sleeve, has at
its outlet a water-nozzle situated at 0 to 45 angle, preferable divergently,
towards to the
inner gas-nozzle axis.
Inner gas-nozzle of the device can be designed in a form of circular nozzle or
in a
form of the first gas-nozzle of annular cross-section whose inner element end
is in a form
of conical surface divergent at an angle of not over 45 towards to this
nozzle axis. Also
such solution is suitable where the second and the third gas-nozzles cross-
section axes are
deflected divergently at an angle of not over 45 towards to the inner gas-
nozzle axis.
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Advantageous device realization is characterised with extinguishing head of
two-
position two-way shut-off valve changeover switch and gas shut-off valves
connected with
the compressor through the second non-return valve. The first gas shut-off
valve closes the
sideline to the foam mixer and the second gas shut-off valve closes the gas-
line between
the connecting line and the second non-return valve.
The extinguishing head having double-flow body including water and gas header,
inner gas-nozzle of convergent-divergent profile as well as inner annular
cross-section
water-gap formed by a sleeve situated coaxially around the inner gas-nozzle,
according to
the invention is characterised in that the inner water gap, formed by the
sleeve, has at its
outlet a water-nozzle situated at 0 to 45 angle, preferable divergently,
towards to the
inner gas-nozzle axis. Additionally the sleeve makes an inner part of the
second gas-nozzle
of convergent-divergent profile and annular cross-section situated coaxially
towards to the
inner gas-nozzle.
It is advantageous if the second gas-nozzle is situated coaxially inside the
second
sleeve that creates an outside water-gap of annular cross-section and the
second sleeve
makes an inner part of the third gas-nozzle of convergent-divergent profile
situated
coaxially towards to the inner gas-nozzle. It is advantageous if the third gas-
nozzle end
section axis is deflected divergently at an angle of not over 45 towards to
the inner gas-
nozzle axis and additionally the third gas-nozzle and outside water-gap
outlets are at the
end of the diffuser formed by their outside walls. This solution includes
outside water-gap,
formed by the second sleeve, having at its outlet a water-nozzle which is
situated at 0 to
45 angle, preferable divergently, towards to the inner gas-nozzle axis and
the second gas-
nozzle end-section axis is deflected divergently at an angle of not over 45
towards to the
inner gas-nozzle axis.
Inner gas-nozzle of the extinguishing head can be designed in a form of
circular
nozzle or in a form of the first gas-nozzle of annular cross-section where
inner element is
ended at the nozzle outlet with divergent conical surface at an angle of not
over 45
towards to inner gas-nozzle axis.
Other fire extinguishing device having double-flow body including water and
gas header, inner gas-nozzle of convergent-divergent profile as well as inner
water-gap of
annular cross-section formed by a sleeve situated coaxially around the inner
gas-nozzle,
according to the invention is characterised in that the inner water-gap,
formed by the
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sleeve, has at its outlet a water-nozzle situated divergently at an angle not
over 45
towards to the inner gas-nozzle axis and the inner gas-nozzle constitutes the
first gas-
nozzle of annular cross-section with coaxially situated inner element.
Additionally the
inner element is ended at the nozzle outlet with conical surface divergent at
acute angle
5 towards to the inner gas-nozzle axis.
The solution according to the invention makes possible to obtain uniform
stream of
highly dispersed water mist or water as well as water foam (below 200 m) at
the
extinguishing head outlet with application of the same extinguishing head. An
advantage
of the device is also a possibility to connect additional tanks or to connect
it to a draw point
as well as a possibility to control the distribution valve by a changeover
switch situated at
the extinguishing head.
Extinguishing head according to the invention makes possible to generate water
mist stream of uniform conical shape maintaining considerable reach at the
same time.
Application of water-gaps between convergent-divergent nozzles provides gas-
dynamic
mist production of high dispersion grade directly at the head outlet.
Appropriate angle
differentiation of gas-nozzles throats end sections and nozzles end sections
position makes
possible to obtain extinguishing medium stream of various dispersion angle.
Additional gas-nozzles situated concentrically towards to the inner gas-nozzle
make
possible to increase extinguishing medium dispersion grade and its reach. The
reach can be
also increased with the help of a diffuser application. Application of a
circular nozzle as
the inner gas-nozzle makes possible to increase extinguishing medium reach and
flow rate.
The solution according to the invention is illustrated by an realization
example
where fig. 1 presents the construction of extinguishing device in schematic
simplification,
fig 2 presents axial section of the extinguishing head including circular
nozzle and annular
water-gap, fig. 3 presents axial section of the extinguishing head including
three gas-
nozzles and two water-gaps, fig 4 presents axial section of the extinguishing
head
furnished with two gas-nozzles of annular cross-section including water-
nozzles situated
parallel to the gas-nozzles axis, fig. 5 presents axial section of the
extinguishing head
furnished with two gas-nozzles of annular cross-section and inner water-gap
including
water-nozzle situated divergently towards to the inner gas-nozzle axis.
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As presented at fig. 1, fire extinguishing device is equipped with double-flow
extinguishing head including side and central header, water pump P connected
to the water
tank W l, auxiliary tank W2 including foaming agent proportioning system
connected to
the water pump P circuit, compressor S dual-line fire-hose of "hose-in-hose"
type and
winder K. One end of the hose water-line is connected to the side header of
the
extinguishing head and the other to the water pump P at the delivery side. One
end of the
gas-line is connected to the central header of extinguishing head and the
other to the
compressor circuit. Water pump P is connected to the fire-hose water-line
through the first
passage of two-way shut-off valve Z4. The other passage of this valve is
connected, by
connecting line, with fire-hose gas-line through the first non return valve
ZZ1 and the
foam mixer M. Air inlet of designated for compressed foam production foam
mixer M is
connected to the compressor by a sideline. Foam mixer M and gas-line are
connected to
the circuit of compressor S through shut-off valves ZS Z6 and the second non-
return valve
ZZ2. The first gas shut-off valve Z5 is situated on sideline to the foam mixer
M and the
second gas shut-off valve Z6 is situated on the gas-line between the
connecting line and the
second non-return valve ZZ2. The first non-return valve closes connection of
connecting
line to the water pump P. The second non-return valve ZZ2 closes connection of
connecting line with the compressor S. A connection with first attachment N 1
to connect
water tank Wl with water draw point is provided at the suction side of water
pump P.
Other connection to the second attachment N2 provides filling of the auxiliary
tank W2.
Water tank W l is equipped with filter F.
Stop valves Zl and Z2 at the suction side of the water pump P make possible to
disconnect a selected tank and its replacement as well as flow control from
water tanks
Wl, W2 to the pump P. Non-return valves ZZl, ZZ2 protect compressing machinery
against undesirable reverse flow effect. Main stop valve Z3 is situated at the
delivery side
of the water pump P.
Extinguishing head outlet is equipped with a internal gas-nozzle of convergent-
divergent profile connected to the central header and also inner water-gap of
annular cross-
section connected to the side header. The headers are connected to separate
fire-hose lines.
Separate delivery ducts are provided in the extinguishing head body 2 to
connect side
header with respective nozzles at the head outlet. Two-position two-way
shut=off valve Z4
changeover switch is attached to the head.
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The first position of two-way shut-off valve Z4 opens the first valve passage.
Extinguishing medium is delivered from the water tank W 1 to the extinguishing
head
through the fire-hose water-line and compressed air is delivered through the
gas-line. In
effect, gas-dynamically dispersed water-mist stream is obtained at the
extinguishing head
outlet. A very high dispersion of water particles occurs in the time of
extinguishing with
water mist, maintaining at the same time compact stream-area of high kinetic
energy mist
at the head outlet. Mass of water mist produced by the extinguishing head
consists not only
of water mass but also of air mass. Owing to this, kinetic energy of mist
produced rises to
the extent making pcssible to direct front of the produced mist stream for a
distance of 8-
10 m, what is satisfactory distance in fire extinguishing conditions.
The second position of two-way shut-off valve 74 directs extinguishing medium
from water pump P, through the connecting line, to the foam mixer M from where
it is
delivered to the fire-hose gas-line. In order to produce compressed foam the
shut-off valve
Zl of the water tank W 1 is closed and shut-off valve Z2 of the auxiliary tank
W2 with
foam producing agent remains open. Compressed foam is produced in the progress
of foam
mixer M operation. The second shut-off valve Z6 is closed. The compressed foam
produced flows through the fire-hose gas-line and next the gas-nozzles at the
extinguishing
head outlet decompress it.
The extinguishing medium is delivered to the extinguishing head through the
gas
line and dispersed by the gas-nozzles in the progress of the device operation
in the second
position of two-way shut-off valve Z4 but with foam mixer M switched-off and
shut-off
valve Z6 opened.
The device can be equipped with various extinguishing.head execution-versions.
In
the case of stationary units the fire-hose can be replaced with a system
including water and
gas-lines to which extinguishing heads are connected.
The extinguishing head presented at fig. 2 has the body 7 including water and
gas
header, inner gas-nozzle of convergent-divergent profile and inner water-gap
of annular
cross-section formed by the sleeve 4 situated coaxially around inner gas-
nozzle. Inner
water-nozzle situated parallel towards to the inner gas-nozzle axis is
arranged at the inner
water-gap formed by the sleeve 4. The sleeve 4 makes an inner part of the
second gas-
nozzle 2 of convergent-divergent profile and annular cross-section situated
coaxially
towards to the inner gas-nozzle. End sectioii axis of the gas-nozzle 2 at the
divergent
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nozzle part outlet is situated parallel towards to the inner gas-nozzle axis.
Circular nozzle 1
makes the inner gas-nozzle.
Fig, 3 presents realization of the extinguishing,nozzle including three gas-
nozzles.
The head is furnished with a circular nozzle 1 and inner water-gap of annular
cross-section
formed by the sleeve 4 situated coaxially around the circular nozzle 1.
The sleeve 4 constitutes an inner part of the second gas-nozzle 2. This nozzle
is situated
coaxially inside the second sleeve 5 which forms the outside water-gap of
annular cross-
section, where the second sleeve 5 makes an inner part of the third gas-nozzle
3 of
convergent-divergent profile and situated coaxially towards to the inner gas-
nozzle.
This solution foresees all nozzles with the walls parallel to the axis of the
circular nozzle 1
at outlet. Additionally the third gas-nozzle 3 as well as outside water-gap
have outlets
arranged at the end of a diffuser formed by their outside walls.
Fig. 4 presents other realization of the head where the inner gas-nozzle makes
the
first gas-nozzle 1' of annular cross-section and the inner element 6 at the
nozzle outlet is
ended with conical area that is divergent at about 30 angle towards to the
axis of the first
gas-nozzle 1'. Additionally the inner water-gap is furnished with a water-
nozzle situated
parallel towards to the axis of the first gas-nozzle 1', and fmal cross-
section axis of the
second gas-nozzle 2 is divergent at about 30 angle towards to the inner gas-
nozzle axis.
Connection of the sleeve 4 with the body 7 through an intermediate part 8 is
applied in this
nozzle.
Fig. 5 presents other version of the head realization including two situated
concentrically gas-nozzles - the first 1' and the second 2 - every of which
has the end
section axis divergent at about 30 angle towards to the inner gas-nozzle axis
and the
water-nozzle at the water-gap outlet is divergent at the same angle.
Fig. 6 presents other extinguishing head of double-flow body 7 including water
and
gas header of convergent-divergent profile and inner water-gap of annular
cross-section
formed by the sleeve 4 situated coaxially around inner gas-nozzle. The inner
water nozzle
formed by sleeve 4 has at the outlet a water-nozzle situated divergently in
relation at the
inner gas-nozzle axis at an angle not over 45 at the outlet of water-gap
formed by the
sleeve 4. The inner gas nozzle, formed by the sleeve 4 makes the first gas-
nozzle 1' of
annular cross-section including coaxially situated inner element 6. Inner
element 6 is ended
at the nozzle outlet with divergent surface at acute angle towards to the
inner gas-nozzle
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axis.
Water-gaps outlets can be ended with water-nozzle of the walls parallel to
inner
gas-nozzle axis or of convergent walls depending on extinguishing heads
realization. These
nozzles can be situated at an angle from 0 to 45 towards to inner gas-nozzle
axis and this
angle arm determines the axis of nozzle outlet cross-section in the plane that
runs through
the inner nozzle axis. Water-gaps in the part before the water-nozzle can be
furnished with
a swirl chamber that is formed by annular throat or a recess in outside or
inner water-gap
wall.
Efficiency of the extinguishing device performance can be increased by
application
of additives, such as salt solutions and particularly NaCI, in order to raise
delivered water
density. Introduction of water solutions or other, less volatile than water,
substances into
the flame area increases flame extinguishing efficiency and evaporated solid
particles that
remain in the fire area provide additional smothering factor. These solutions
can be
prepared in auxiliary tanks, which can be easily connected to the water pump P
at suction
side. It is also possible to connect auxiliary tanks at the delivery side with
the help of
auxiliary water pumps as well as to conn.ect the water pump P directly to the
draw point.
The extinguishing device and extinguishing nozzle according to the invention
can
be applied in stationary systems of extinguishing devices for the purposes to
protect rooms,
communication and equipment lines where a determined nozzles system of various
reach,
dispersion and outflow direction is required. Additionally they can be applied
to disperse
chemical agents by water mist produced. In this case the device makes possible
contaminations neutralising and washing with water in one operation cycle
without the
necessity to replace the extinguishing head.
